Method of testing ceramic cotyloid cavities for hip joint endoprostheses

US6176140A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Cerasiv GmbH Innovatives Keramik-Engineering · DE

Inventors

• Ralph Autenrieth · Eßlingen, DE
• Hans-Georg Pfaff · Esslingen am Neckar, DE
• Herbert Richter · Neuenbürg, DE
• Gerd Willmann · Niedernhausen, DE
• Martin Wimmer · Neubiberg, DE
• Christian Worne · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 2, 1999
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2001
• Expiry date: Sep 2, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S623/908
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A ceramic socket or ceramic socket insert for a hip joint prosthesis is tested prior to implantation in a human body by subjecting the portions of the interior of the socket or socket insert to a load that generates stresses that are greater than the physiological load. This may be accomplished either by pressing a hemispherically-shaped deformable material such as polymer or plastic into the interior of the socket or socket insert or by exposing the interior of the socket or socket insert to a fluid under pressure. The interior of the socket or socket insert may be sealed off with a test punch that has a supply line for the fluid. To reduce the amount of fluid that is required, the test punch may have a bulge that projects into the interior of the socket or socket insert and leaves only a gap for the fluid. In the method of testing, the interior of the socket or socket insert is subjected to a load that generates stress such that a defective socket or socket insert is destroyed and a non-defective socket or socket insert survives unharmed.